Michael Connor Discusses Pimco Trademark Rights with InvestmentNews

The departure of Pimco co-founder Bill Gross for Janus Capital Group has raised questions about trademark rights to the term “New Neutral,” which describes Pimco’s investment strategy and which the company claims as its trademark.

If Pimco’s trademark claims are valid and not restricted by contract with Mr. Gross, Pimco could use its rights to “exclude others from using the same or confusingly similar marks,” according to Michael S. Connor, a Charlotte, N.C.-based lawyer and co-chair of Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property Group.

“If there are valid trademark rights and they are owned by Pimco, then he would need to choose another dissimilar term,” said Connor.